According to Save the Children and Unicef, children are among the most affected by extreme weather events
<https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/children-among-most-vulnerable-ext...
–
like tidal surges, cyclones, flooding and desertification – all caused by climate change. Approximately 20 million Bangladeshi children
<https://www.unicef.org/rosa/media/17566/file/The%20Heat%20is%20On%20-%20...
are already significantly exposed to climate threats, and 12 million children
<https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/climate-change-threatens-lives-and...
who live near and along river systems face the increased risk of fatal flooding. And strong cyclones frequently affect another 4.5 million children living in the coastal region.
Economic challenges due to climate-related impacts may force families to prioritise immediate needs over educational expenses, lowering school enrolment rates.
Research shows that 58 percent of human infectious diseases
<https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-022-01426-1> may be aggravated due
to climate change.
Climate change may have a negative effect on children's emotional well-being too. The lack of a sense of security arising from increased disasters will hamper cognition and motivation to learn.
(https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/views/news/rising-tides-sinking-cha...)
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Obaidullah Khan Wahedi
MBBS(BD), MRCP (UK), MRCPCH (UK), FRCP ( Edin ), DCH(Hon's) Ire NUI, MSc
ECD (BRACU)
Professor of Pediatrics & Child Health
Certified in Pediatric Neurology, BPNA, UK
Fellow Bangladesh Association of Child and Adolescents Mental Health
(BACAMH)
Guest Professor, Early Childhood Development, BRAC University, Bangladesh
CHIFA profile: Muhammad Obaidullah Khan Wahedi is Professor of Paediatrics & Neonatology at the Medical College for Women & Hospital in Bangladesh. Professional interests: Neonatology and early childhood development, affordable health services for rural poor and disadvantaged, community health insurance. mokwahedi@gmail.com He is a CHIFA Country Representative for Bangladesh